Ninh Binh won 4-3, coach Gerard Albadalejo was upset with the referee.

Ninh Binh left Thong Nhat Stadium with a 4-3 victory over Ho Chi Minh City Police, but the post-match story revolved around the referee. Coach Gerard Albadalejo both acknowledged his players' fighting spirit and expressed frustration about what he described as "incomprehensible" decisions, saying his team felt "unfairly treated" in the V.League. Despite leading the table with 27 points after 11 rounds, the Spanish coach affirmed that he wasn't thinking about the championship yet.

Coach Gerard Albadalejo: Warrior spirit and questions about refereeing.

After 90 minutes of intense drama, coach Gerard Albadalejo emphasized the value of collective effort:“We knew this would be a tough match. Ho Chi Minh City Police is a strong team and plays with passion. However, my players showed a warrior spirit, fighting until the very last second to earn a well-deserved victory. I am proud of them.”

However, the initial satisfaction quickly gave way to concerns about the management:"I don't understand why the fourth official from the previous match was assigned to this one again. Some decisions were really hard for me to explain. But even so, my players still showed the highest level of focus and determination."

The 42-year-old coach also alluded to feeling mistreated:“I feel there are people who don’t want to see Ninh Binh succeed. Maybe it’s because we’re newcomers, or because I’m from abroad. Nevertheless, the whole team will continue to prove our worth through our performances on the field.”

Referee assignment: issues of consistency and fairness.

The key point from coach Gerard Albadalejo's statement lies in the fact that the same fourth official was in charge of two consecutive Ninh Binh matches. From a professional perspective, consistency in assignment and officiating directly affects the teams' perception of fairness. When a coach questions "unexplained" decisions, it's not just an immediate reaction, but also touches upon the players' confidence in the ongoing match.

Nevertheless, Ninh Binh's positive aspect in this match was their ability to maintain focus despite the unpredictable nature of the final whistle. As the coach affirmed, the team held onto their determination until the very last second – a factor that often determines the outcome in matches with close scores like 4-3.

Ninh Binh's position in the V.League: leading but still modest.

With 27 points after 11 rounds, Ninh Binh is becoming a phenomenon of the season. However, the message from the technical staff remains clear: they are not thinking about the championship yet. This approach helps the team balance the euphoria after victories with the need to control emotions over the long term.

The significance of a 4-3 victory

The victory against Ho Chi Minh City Police carries multiple layers of significance. In terms of the result, it's three points that keep Ninh Binh in the lead. Psychologically, the performance showed the team's ability to adapt under high pressure – something the coach himself described as "fighting until the very last second." In terms of the message, the team chose to respond with their on-field performance, regardless of the controversies surrounding the refereeing.

Notable statement

• "My players showed a warrior spirit... I am proud of them."
• "I don't understand why the fourth official from the previous match was assigned to this one again... Some of the decisions are really hard for me to explain."
• “I feel there are people who don’t want to see Ninh Binh succeed… Nevertheless, the whole team will continue to prove their worth through their performance on the field.”

The 4-3 victory confirms Ninh Binh is on a positive trajectory. But as coach Gerard Albadalejo emphasized, focus on professionalism and belief in the process will be the more sustainable answer than any debate.